Torchlight News

 Torchlight news. Presidency defends Tinubu’s state visit to Saint Lucia The Presidency has dismissed criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing state visit to Saint Lucia, describing detractors as “misguided, mischievous and uninformed.” In a statement issued by presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said the trip is a historic first for a Nigerian leader and is anchored in “deep ancestral, diplomatic, economic and cultural ties” with the Caribbean nation. Saint Lucia—a 179,000-strong island economy built on tourism and agriculture—belongs to both the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). CARICOM’s combined GDP of more than $130 billion, the statement noted, offers fertile ground for South-South trade and development. Shared history and people-to-people links Large waves of migrants from present-day Nigeria settled in Saint Lucia in the mid-19th century, leaving cultural and religious traditions that still fl...

 Torchlight news. 2027: I’ll Honour Coalition Deal to Serve One Term, Hand Over to North – Peter Obi Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has pledged to honour any coalition agreement that requires him to serve only one term and hand over power to the North in 2031. Speaking during an X (formerly Twitter) Space session titled #PeterObiOnParallelFacts , Obi emphasized that he is driven by a desire to see Nigeria work, not by a hunger for power. The session drew over 10,000 live listeners and nearly 3,000 audience comments. “If the agreement is for one term, I will leave on May 28, 2031 — not even May 29,” Obi said in response to a question from a user identified as Balactic. He stressed that character, integrity, and commitment to national progress were his priorities, adding that respecting zoning and honouring coalition agreements is a mark of political maturity.

 Torchlight news. Court Grants Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Bail on Self-Recognisance The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted bail on self-recognisance to the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following her arraignment on a six-count charge related to alleged cybercrime. Akpoti-Uduaghan pleaded not guilty to all charges after they were read in court. The charges stem from alleged false and defamatory statements she made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. According to the prosecution, the senator was quoted as saying: “Akpabio told Yahaya Bello… that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, it should be done in Kogi, so it will seem as if it is the people that killed me.” She allegedly repeated this claim during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today , stating that it was part of a plan to eliminate her. The Federal Government, which broug...

 Torchlight news. Obi Commends Ganduje’s Resignation as APC Chairman The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has praised Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje for stepping down as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ganduje, a former governor of Kano State, tendered his resignation to the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC) through the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, citing health concerns. Reacting in a post on his official X handle on Friday, Obi lauded Ganduje for putting his health first. "I must commend Dr. Ganduje for prioritising his health above all else," Obi stated. "Given the reported decline in his health, stepping down was both a wise and honourable decision, especially if he feels unable to continue providing the level of service required by the party, the people, and the country." Obi described the resignation as a powerful example to other leaders who, despite health challenges, remain in ...

 Torchlight news. Doubt Continues to Surround Favour Ofili’s Rumoured Switch from Nigeria to Turkey Reports surfaced earlier in the week claiming Nigerian sprint star Favour Ofili had filed paperwork with the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) to transfer her allegiance to Turkey. According to those reports, the 22-year-old was fed up with what she sees as neglect and repeated administrative lapses by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC). The breaking point, the stories said, came at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Ofili was left off the 100 metres start list despite meeting the qualifying mark—a déjà-vu of the Tokyo 2020 fiasco in which a similar clerical blunder cost her a place. Yet Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC) insists no formal notice has landed on its desk. “As far as we are concerned, Favour is still a Nigerian athlete,” NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade told reporters on Wednesday. Olopade noted that Ofili is part o...

  Wike-Fubara Feud: Supporters Divided Over Peace Deal Supporters of suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, are at odds over his recent reconciliation with Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike. While some have welcomed the peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu, others dismissed it as a weak compromise, describing it as a capitulation by Fubara. The closed-door meeting, held Thursday night at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, brought together Tinubu, Wike, Fubara, suspended Rivers Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule, and a few lawmakers. The aim was to put an end to the prolonged political feud between the governor and his former political godfather. Terms of the Agreement According to sources within the presidency, Fubara agreed not to seek re-election in 2027 and accepted to complete his current term peacefully. A presidency insider said, “That was the core of the agreement. He promised to step aside after his term ends.” Additionally, Fubara repo...

 Torchlight news. Tinubu: New tax laws will unlock the economy • Pro-poor exemptions begin January 2026 • FIRS re-christened Nigerian Revenue Service President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday signed four landmark tax bills, heralding what he called “a new economy and fresh business opportunities” for Nigeria. “This tells the world Nigeria is truly open for business,” Tinubu declared during the ceremony at the State House, Abuja, calling the assent a turning-point in the nation’s modernisation drive. What the new laws do The Nigeria Tax Reform Act, Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act consolidate more than 70 scattered federal, state and local taxes into a coherent framework. They promise to: Protect low-income earners – one-third of workers will be exempt from PAYE; micro and small businesses will no longer face corporate, VAT or withholding taxes. Remove VAT on essentials – food, education, health...